Money

Wanna own a piece of NBA history?!?

Well, here's your chance -- the actual basketball that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar used to score his 38,387th point in his final regular-season game just hit the auction block ... and TMZ Sports is told it could sell for as much as $500,000!

Of course, KAJ scored the monumental basket on April 23, 1989 -- the last regular-season game of his legendary career -- when Kareem's Lakers took on the Seattle SuperSonics at the Forum in Inglewood.

Abdul-Jabbar played 26 minutes ... scoring 10 points on 5-6 shooting. He also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot.

Those 10 points put Kareem's career regular-season total at 38,387 ... leaving him thousands of points ahead of Wilt Chamberlain, the second-leading scorer at the time.

FYI, Wilt's now 7th on the list behind ... (6) Dirk Nowitzki, (5) Michael Jordan, (4) Kobe Bryant, (3) LeBron James, and (2) Karl Malone.

Abdul-Jabbar is 1,459 points ahead of The Mailman.

Back to the basketball. After the game, Kareem autographed the Spalding Official NBA ball. It's also inscribed with "Last Reg. Season Game Ball 4/89" and "38,387 PTS Lifetime."

Kareem was one of the greatest hoopers of all time over his 20 season career. He was a 6x NBA champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 6x NBA MVP, 19x NBA All-Star.

The ball -- which comes with a letter of authenticity signed by Kareem -- sold a few years ago for $270,050.

The Super Bowl halftime show promises to be one of the most spectacular yet, thanks to Dr. Dre, but the stakes are high because if COVID somehow kills the show, Dre could lose millions.

As we reported, the show will be filled with huge stars, including Eminem, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Dre is fronting most of the money necessary to pull off the event, and we're told it's in the millions of dollars.

Our sources say ... Dre has Event Cancellation Insurance to cover any calamity that might derail the halftime show. Problem is ... we're told there's an exclusion for COVID.

We've learned the pesky provision is called a Communicable Disease Exemption, and it's been around for years ... ever since SARS. But COVID is part of the Communicable Disease Exemption, which means the insurance policy will not cover Dre's losses if the show is 86'd.

The high, high likelihood is the show will go on as planned. There's cautious optimism Omicron will peak later this month ... and the Super Bowl is set for February 13th.

Even if there's an explosion of cases and the crowds are either scaled back or even eliminated, the game will go on ... similar to how it went down last year in the throes of the pandemic. The other possibility, the NFL has made it clear it wants fans in the stands, and if that can't happen at L.A.'s SoFi Stadium, the game could be moved to say, Dallas.

Bobbi Kristina Brown's old townhome in Atlanta, Georgia -- where she overdosed in the bathtub and later died -- has sold, TMZ has learned.

The 3-bedroom 4-bath pad was previously owned by Bobbi's mom, Whitney Houston, and was first listed for $599,000. The property was taken off the market in 2020, but listed again in November for $715,000 ... and sold for $715,100.

It was January 2015 when Bobbi Kristina was found facedown in the bathtub by then-boyfriend Nick Gordon. She was placed in a medically-induced coma for almost 7 months before she died. The medical examiner listed her cause of death as "immersion associated with drug intoxication." Gordon was found civilly liable for her death but was never charged. He died of a heroin overdose in 2020.

Keller Williams Realty agent Jill Rice tells TMZ, a lot of potential buyers knew the home's history, which scared some off -- but it clearly didn't matter to the buyers -- who pulled the trigger after deciding the great neighborhood and townhouse's look outweighed the negatives.

The townhouse is tucked away in a 24/7 gated community and features about 2,600 sq. ft. of living space. It's got a gourmet kitchen, a huge master suite with a fireplace and 2 guest suites with private baths.

Former Indianapolis Colts LB Gary Brackett is putting his Super Bowl XLI and AFC Championship rings up for auction ... all to rake in some cash after being forced to file bankruptcy 'cause COVID destroyed his small business.

Brackett -- who played for the Colts from 2003-2011 -- won his only Super Bowl ring in 2007 alongside Peyton Manning after the Colts defeated the Bears, 29-17.

Gary's SB ring will go up for bids during the Ripley Auctions Super Sports & Entertainment Sale ... which is scheduled to take place Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

"This auction gives buyers an incredible opportunity to own the pinnacle of achievement in professional sports, a genuine, player-issued Super Bowl ring," Dan Ripley, owner of Ripley Auctions, says.

"The fact that both rings in our auction were won by one of the most popular Indianapolis Colts players ever, Gary Brackett, makes them even more special."

Of course, Brackett's ring is expected to fetch some serious value -- the ring is one of about 70 produced in total that were issued to players on the Colts roster at the time of their Super Bowl win.

Since retiring from the NFL at age 31, Brackett ventured into the restaurant industry ... where he owned the Stacked Pickle restaurant, which had nine locations in Indiana and one in Ohio.

Joe Exotic's got his hand out because he's desperate and needs to fork over some dough to the woman he so affectionately calls "that bitch Carole Baskin."

The 'Tiger King' star is launching a GoFundMe, and asking for an incredible $500,000 to cover recent legal fees associated with his ongoing feud with Carole.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... a judge sanctioned Joe and instructed him to pay Carole nearly $10,000 from a dispute over the infamous Oklahoma zoo he used to own.

What's more, Joe says he still owes $1 million to Carole's Big Cat Rescue from her trademark infringement lawsuit ... and he needs help covering that debt too.

Joe makes a heartfelt plea on his GoFundMe, saying ... "I will walk out of prison with my clothes on my back, a $1 million judgment and no home or clothes. My health is deteriorating and prison has not been kind. Simply put, I cannot get a fresh start until I pay @$&#!%! Carole Baskin back."

We're told Joe even appealed to honchos at GoFundMe to get the page approved, and it's essentially a "pay that bitch Carole Baskin back fund."

Garrett Hedlund and Emma Roberts are outta the L.A. pad he bought before they hooked up, as they settle into parenthood in a new hood ... TMZ has learned.

Garrett stands to make a little dough off the 3 bedroom, 3 bath home he purchased in 2017 for $1.6 million. We're told he just sold it for $2 mil and the new owner's getting a charming Los Felix spot -- originally built in the 1920s -- with lots of updates.

The main living area features a fireplace, beamed ceilings, French floors and other cozy accents.

The house sits on a hillside, so the backyard patio is a great area for outdoor entertaining ... with plenty of shade from surrounding trees.

As you may know, Garrett and Emma started dating back in 2019, and last year they had their first kid together ... a baby boy they named Rhodes.

Not long after she gave birth, Emma scooped up a 3 bedroom house in Hollywood, reportedly for just over $3 mil -- and we're guessing this is where the couple will be co-parenting and co-residing, now that Garrett's unloaded his bachelor pad.

A bunch of counterfeit Milwaukee Bucks title rings have been seized by the feds ... who say if the bogus bling had made it past them, it could have cost U.S. residents a small fortune.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, over the past few months, 56 shipments of 1,382 fake sports championship rings and trophies were intercepted by officers in Cincinnati.

The feds say in addition to the fraud Bucks memorabilia, there were also rings with Dodgers, Red Sox, Univ. of Kentucky and NASCAR images on them.

Authorities say the shipments also included fake Lombardi Trophies and more ... and add that it would have all been worth around $1 million if it had been the real deal materials.

"The money profited from selling fake merchandise such as championship rings, is used to damage the United States economy and fund criminal enterprises," Cincinnati port director Richard Gillespie said in a statement Tuesday.

"I am proud of the officers in Cincinnati, they work hard to protect our domestic businesses and stop illegal shipments."

Eli Manning is the newest member of Death Row ... and if you don't believe it, check out his new birthday chain -- courtesy of Snoop Dogg!!!

Snoop was the special guest during the third quarter of the Browns vs. Steelers "Manning Cast" on ESPN2 Monday night ... which just so happened to be Eli's 41st birthday.

And, D-O-Double-G was ready for the occasion ... whipping out a "Death Row Records" gold and diamond chain for the birthday boy -- and Eli's reaction is priceless!!

"Eli, I would like to present to you this Death Row chain for being so hip-hop! For being so hip!" Snoop said.

"That's yours, baby, when I see you. Put that around your neck. Happy 41st birthday Eli!"

Eli's mouth was wide open as Snoop shared the gift via video chat ... in complete disbelief over the gesture.

Snoop was showing nothing but love for Peyton and Eli throughout his appearance -- in fact, he even asked the bros to adopt him during the show.

"I love the way you guys won, I love the way you guys did y'all thing and I'm happy for y'all off the field with this show that you got and all your endeavors," he said. "Y'all keep up the great work."

"I wish I was a Manning," Snoop asked. "Can I be adopted?" ... and Peyton "absolutely" accepted his request.

Ex-NFL star Fred Taylor is parting ways with the show he helped blow up ... telling TMZ Sports he's split with Brandon Marshall's popular "I AM ATHLETE" show to launch his own podcast with fellow former football players Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder.

We talked to the 45-year-old former Pro Bowler before his new show, "The Pivot Podcast" launches Tuesday (with first guest Chad Ochocinco) about splitting with Marshall and what listeners will get with the new gig.

"Everybody gonna pivot in life at some point whether it's business, relationships, family, whatever it might be man," Taylor says.

The former RB went on to say ... "I believe us as black men, as businessmen in our own right, I think we dropped the ball in a sense because we didn't have the business completely buttoned up."

"We were out having fun man, just making magic, conversations, everyday locker room stuff, experiences. In the midst of all that, we didn't buckle up the business so when it came time to do the business part, you know there was some push back, some other stuff It just didn't add up."

Of course, "I AM ATHLETE" blew up last year ... and the show regularly features A-list guests. On YouTube alone, the channel has raked in around 66 million views.

Taylor and Crowder were both featured prominently on IAA. Former longtime Steelers DB Clark wasn't ... but is a regular on ESPN.

So, where's that leave Fred's friendship with Brandon? He tells us although they aren't working together, they're still buddies.

"I wish we could've really pushed forward with IAA. Brandon is gonna keep pushing forward and I support that. That's what I texted him when we talked about going different ways. I made sure, look, 'I support everything you do with House of Athletes, I AM ATHLETE.'"

"We still brothers man. Ain't no beef, ain't no animosity, ain't no sideway stuff. It's just his business and his vision didn't necessarily align with what everybody else expected or wanted and that's business."

Taylor -- who rushed for nearly 12,000 yards throughout his great career -- says the new show will be much like IAA ... have fun, keep it real.

"Trending topics, we're gonna hit those. Obviously sports, just life man.  Just wanna be organic and feel good. We're gonna keep it real like we was doing on the other show."

"We wanna have good energy, positive energy. It's gonna be some laugh, gonna be some crazy moments. It's gonna be everything."

Tyra Banks ended the year by flipping another mansion in Pacific Palisades ... which is kinda becoming her thing, you know, next to the whole supermodel gig.

Tyra sold a 5-bedroom estate in the affluent coastal community on the west side of Los Angeles in the final days of 2021, with the sale price coming in at $7,895,000 ... which is what she was asking for the pad.

The place is 6,160 square feet and comes with all the bells and whistles ... including a home gym, office and media room with a giant 120-inch projection screen.

The rooftop deck features 360-degree views of the ocean, coastline and skyline, and it comes with its own outdoor kitchen, spa, fire pit and multiple seating areas.

Oh, and there's also an infinity-edge pool with limestone and a cascading waterfall backdrop on the terrace.

It's the fifth place Tyra's flipped in Pacific Palisades since 2018 ... and seems to be the final.

We now know how much money Jeffrey Epstein paid to the woman who is accusing Prince Andrew of having sex with her when she was a minor.

According to just-released legal docs, Epstein paid Virginia Giuffre $500,000 back in 2009. The money was paid as a settlement of her lawsuit against the now-deceased sexual predator.

The settlement is relevant now because Giuffre is suing Prince Andrew, but he maintains the 2009 settlement in effect blocked her from suing him. Andrew's lawyer points to a clause in the 2009 settlement that extends the release to other, unnamed potential defendants, and Andrew claims that covers him.

Giuffre claims Andrew had sex with her in London, New York and in the Virgin Islands when she was still a minor. He has categorically denied the allegations.

As for the photo of the 2 of them ... he has said he doesn't recall taking it and suggested it might be photoshopped. He says he has no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre.

Prince Andrew's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss Giuffre's lawsuit, claiming, “... Epstein negotiated for [a] broad release, insisting that it cover any and all persons who Giuffre identified as potential targets of future lawsuits, regardless of the merit—or lack thereof— to any such claims.”

And, Prince Andrew's lawyers say Giuffre got more than the $500k settlement from Epstein ... they claim she got \even more money in exchange for a full release from all potential defendants.

AJ McKee has conquered the cage ... and now the Bellator champ tells TMZ Sports he wouldn't mind spending time in a ring boxing against arguably the 2 biggest combat sports athletes in the world.

Floyd Mayweather. Conor McGregor.

We talked to the 26-year-old undefeated MMA star at the Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley boxing match in Tampa ... and we asked AJ about all things his combat sports career.

First, on boxing.

"I wanna test my skills against some of the best and that's why I've always called out Floyd. It's not like, 'Oh, I wanna beat Floyd.' I wanna test my skills in hand-to-hand combat with one of the best athletes in hand-to-hand combat," McKee says.

We then asked about McGregor ... and AJ says he's down to box the Irish superstar -- or anyone else.

"I'm down for anybody. If it's 145, 155, 170. In boxing, I'll go up 3 weight classes."

Of course, Floyd and Conor boxed in 2017 ... a fight Mayweather won by TKO. It was one of the biggest sports events ever. Floyd then went on to box Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa and Logan Paul.

Now, about McKee's day job as Bellator champ. We asked him where he goes from here ... after beating fellow badass Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, winning the promotions 145 lb. million dollar tournament.

"I would like to be double champ," AJ says.

"Becoming double champ is definitely bucket list. Be a champ-champ and then see where the path lies after that."

But, promotions aside -- UFC, Bellator, ONE, PFL -- who's the best 145 pounder on the planet?

McKee says he's all about finding out ... if that means scrapping with guys like Brian Ortega, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

"Send the contract, bro. I'm gonna sign it. Cross-promotion, any promotion, backyard bully stuff. I'm just about the fight. I love to fight, outside of the money, the fame, the clout, clearly that's not what I do it for."

Bella Thorne's bling has some serious bite ... check out the new piece she's got hanging around her neck, complete with two alligators and a hefty price tag.

Bella hails from Florida, and told jeweler Alex Moss she wanted something that would pay homage to her home and her roots. Moss went to work, designing the necklace ... complete with 18k white gold, 33.1ct VVS diamond D-F color and 16.7ct natural Zambian cushion-cut emerald.

As for the price, the piece is 1 of 1 and we're told it rings in right around $300,000.

Moss says the whole look is not only iconic, but practical, with the alligator tails even bending for some flexibility while Thorne rocks it.

Jake Paul says he's willing to get inside the Octagon against Jorge Masvidal for a UFC fight -- but first, he wants Dana White to do a few things.

The YouTuber just laid out his terms and conditions for a potential bout against Gamebred ... saying he wants UFC fighters to get what he feels they deserve.

In a public post to the UFC boss, Jake wrote ... "Happy new year @danawhite. Here is a real challenge for you… I will immediately retire from boxing and fight Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if you agree to (the following)."

You can read JP's letter for yourself, but to summarize -- he's asking fighters get a $50k minimum payout fight ... as well as more of the MMA giant's yearly earnings.

Jake claims UFC generated about a billion dollars in 2021 alone -- so essentially, he's saying $500 mil should be earmarked and divvied up among the talent themselves.

There's more ... Jake wants Dana to put a focus on healthcare for fighters.

If Dana implements these asks by March 31, JP says he'll retire from boxing and come on over for a 1-fight deal with JM.

As you may know, there's been a lot of talk about a would-be fight between these two -- with Masvidal himself stoking the flames and issuing a challenge, with certain caveats.

Ball's in Dana's court now!

Maybe the biggest celebrity house sale of the year is going down in Bev Hills, because TMZ has learned Adele is about to become the owner of Sylvester Stallone's awesome estate, and she's getting it for a steal.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Adele is in escrow for Sly's massive home, tucked away inside Beverly Park -- a super-exclusive, gated community riddled with celebs.

Now get this ... our sources say Adele is paying $58 mil for the property. Yes, that's a fortune, but it was listed at $80 mil. In fact, back in February, Sly initially listed it for $110 mil but there were no takers. Multiple real estate sources tell us, $58 million for this property is, as one source put it, "an outright steal."

Sly bought the house back in the 90's ... he and others have referred to it as "The house that Rocky built."

It's got 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a gym, sauna, steam, infinity pool, cigar room, screening room, custom bar, art studio, 2-story guest house, yada yada yada.

It's one of the largest properties in Beverly Park, sitting on 3.6-level acres with insane, jetliner views of the city below.

Now Adele owns 2 properties nearby, in the Hidden Valley area of L.A. We're told she wanted a bigger house ... and that she's getting. BTW ... remember she said she's living in L.A. because real estate in London is too expensive? Well, $58 mil ain't chump change!!!

As we reported, Sly and his fam have moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where they scooped up a massive estate for $35 mil. That house has 13,200 feet of living space, 7 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms ... all the bells and whistles.

Stallone's new neighbors now include rockers Jon Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart as well as Howard Stern.

Kenny Chesney just unloaded his HUGE home in the Nashville area for $11.5 mil ... and that price comes at a huge discount.

The country singer originally listed the 4 bedroom, 9 bath home for $13.9M, but apparently it just sat, in the middle of a housing boom no less.

Despite the fact the house didn't move at its original price, Kenny scored a hefty profit. He bought the property back in 2009 for $9.25 mil.

The property is 56 acres in Franklin, TN, with the main house just under 12,600 sq ft.

The new owner will have no parking problems, with a 10-car garage -- unless the buyer's Jerry Seinfeld or Jay Leno. It also has a home theatre, infinity swimming pool, spa, limestone fireplaces and other bells and whistles.